Effortless Grilled Chicken Teriyaki. This chicken is simple and perfect for busy weeknights. All it takes is marinating your chicken in the morning and grilling it up that night! It is perfect for that night, but it is really tasty as a leftover, so perfect for meal prep!
Chicken Recommendations
I always use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. They have more flavor and don’t dry out as easily as chicken breasts. You may use whichever chicken you prefer, just be mindful not to grill it for too long or it will dry out. Nothing is worse than dry, grilled chicken!
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade:
- Soy Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Minced Garlic
- Grated Fresh Ginger
- Cornstarch
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Crushed Pineapple
The combination of these flavors is unbeatable and amazing coupled with your chicken! Take half of your marinade to use for the chicken and reserve the other half for later. You can marinate in a Ziplock bag or however, you prefer.
I like to marinate my chicken for at least 6-8 hours, but you can also easily go overnight as well. When 6-8 hours? For a good marinade, you really need to let it meld and blend with the chicken, this takes time and is a process better left unrushed. So, throw it in that morning before work of the day starts and it will be ready that night. Or throw it in the night before and it is ready for grilling the following evening.
Grilling The Effortless Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
*If you have time, I would pull your chicken out and bring it to room temperature first, maybe half an hour before. Any meat will grill better if it is at room temperature.
Heat your grill to at least 500-550 degrees Fahrenheit, and while heating, take your reserved marinade and heat over your stove in a pan. Cook your marinade on high for about 5 minutes and it will begin to thicken as you add your cornstarch. The flavor will be so delicious when added to your grilled chicken.
Turn down your grill to about 400 degrees. Then, to grill your chicken, throw your chicken on the grill on one side for 3-5 minutes. . After you flip the chicken, take the glaze from the pan, and brush it all over the top (grilled side) of your chicken while the other side cooks. Grill your second side about the same time as the first, pull your chicken off, and then let it rest.
Serving The Effortless Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
You can serve your chicken sliced, we had a cucumber salad with our Teriyaki Chicken, and it was the perfect contrast. I also served Emmer with ours, which is an awesome whole grain, you can also serve with white rice, if you prefer.
This is perfect for meal prep and is very yummy reheated if you have leftovers.
Side Dish Ideas
Are you looking for sides to go with the chicken teriyaki? Let me give you a few ideas:
- This Soba Noodle Salad is such a great salad!
- Spring Rolls would also pair really well with the chicken!
- You could also add the grilled chicken to a rice bowl just like this!
- A Thai quinoa salad would go with the chicken as well.
Effortless Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs You can also use boneless skinless breasts, but they tend to dry out a little faster.
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup crushed pineapple
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients but the chicken in a bowl. Mix well to combine. Place chicken in a large ziplock bag or airtight container. Pour HALF the mixture over the chicken. Mix well to coat the chicken. Place in the fridge and marinate. This should sit at least 4 hours, but up to 24. I love to do this in the morning, then it is ready to grill that night. Before you are ready to grill, I like to move the chicken to room temp for about 30 minutes. If you don't have time to do this, don't sweat it. We are going for ease here. Heat your grill to about 400-450 degrees. Place the remaining sauce in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Now, place your chicken on the grill. Grill for about 4-7 minutes per side, this depends on the heat your grill holds. Flip the chicken. Brush generously with the thickened sauce. Reserve a little sauce to brush on when it is finished grilling. Cook for about 3-5 minutes. Then remove from the grill. Brush with the remaining sauce. That is it!! So simple. Ready to go in no time. This teriyaki is also awesome for meal prep, it is so delicious in your favorite salad or on it's own! It is good refrigerated for up to 7 days. Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!